Chris has been involved with music in various forms over the past 30+ years. After studying violin at both the Junior and Senior departments of the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, UK. He then moved to London where he continued his studies in music, but in Audio Engineering at Alchemea Ltd. Chris landed his first studio job, before he was even meant to graduate, at legendary record producer Trevor Horn‘s Studio in London – SARM West Studios. This is where Chris learnt his craft working in Studios on the engineering side and got to play on some high profile sessions playing keys and violin. He also got to arrange strings and brass for The Olympic Torch Theme “Pass The Flame” (EMI) and SEAL “Walk On By” (Warner Bros)
After some time Chris was working solely on Trevor Horn‘s sessions at Sarm West in London, Sarm Hookend in Oxfordshire (the studio barn conversion plus 14 bedroom mansion) and over in Los Angeles at SARM West Coast (residential studio in the Hollywood Hills). Chris has worked on sessions for artists such as: Kylie, Robbie Williams, SEAL, Lisa Stansfield, SugaBabes, Beth Orton, Enrique Iglesias, The Buggles, Counting Crows and a number of Jerry Bruckheimer Films – King Arthur (with Hans Zimmer), Coyote Ugly (Directors Cut) plus The Magic Roundabout (Pathe) and Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (Working Title Films).
Chris’s first studio session was for Elton John – Sony Pictures “Mona Lisa Smile“. His biggest career highlight, to date, was playing violin on the Counting Crows record “Accidentally In Love” which was used as the opening soundtrack for the hit blockbuster movie – Shrek 2. One of the songs he worked on SEAL – “Walk On By” was nominated for a GRAMMY! He also got to string arrange on The Official Olympic Torch Theme 2004.
In other notable sessions Chris has transcribed piano parts for Kanye West – Heard ‘Em Say ft. Adam Levine NYC session (Roc-A-Fella Records, LLC) which features on the Late Registration album. He has also performed in a string quartet for Rachel Adedeji (X-Factor 2009 Finalist) on forthcoming album tracks produced by Grammy & Ivor Novello award winning songwriter Phil Ramacon (who had toured with Bob Marley!).
Nowadays, you’ll find Chris gigging live in bands playing keys and fiddle. In 2009 he joined folk rock outfit Jessicas Ghost where they got to play many festival stages in the UK and Europe opening for Paloma Faith, The Charlatans, James Walsh (Starsailor), Noisettes, Spin Doctors to name a few…In more recent years Chris has been performing and recording fiddle with UK Americana/Country outfits such as Backwoods Creek, Steve Young UK, Devon Mayson, The Angels with Dirty Faces, Simon James, Donna Marie, Highly Strung , Fred Loader & The Big Guns & Máiréad.
